A place is more than location, name, geology, systems or inhabitants.
One that makes room for memories and dreams, people and
nature, independence and cooperation, similarities and differences is
a very special place indeed.
Welcome to Milford, Ohio.
An easy 16 miles east of downtown Cincinnati, yet worlds away
across the Little Miami Scenic River in Clermont County, Milford
has drawn families and businesses for over two centuries. At the
edge of suburbia and its amenities, Milford is Clermont’s only city
with a thriving, yet balanced, population of almost 6,500. Milford’s
rolling hills, dense woods and historical character are the gateway
to a less frenetic lifestyle. That appeal also lures new and high-tech
business. It’s the little town (well, a city) that thinks big, catering to
residents, businesses and community organizations with a constantly
expanding infrastructure, astute development and keen preservation.
Milford is a place where past, present and future are alive.
MEMORIES AND DREAMS
Even the earliest settlers in 1788 were captivated
by the area’s beauty, strategic location and
inhabitability. They aptly named it for the first
“ford” (safe crossing) on the Little Miami, north
of the Ohio. Today as then, there’s really no way
around Milford without being touched by the
Little Miami, the city’s natural focal point.
Commerce followed settlement and the first
mill came to life in 1803. By 1836, the village
was incorporated and the railroad steamed into
town soon after. In the next century, government
responded to growth and citizens, in 1971,
established a charter form of government
with a city manager to control development.
In 1981, Milford reached city status, exceeding
5,000 residents.
Today, residents, workers and visitors have access
to history, a friendly downtown hub, convenient
shopping centers, large retailers, casual and
fine dining, award-winning schools, responsive
government and services, walkable neighborhoods,
a diversity of churches, and a network of business
owners, city officials and organizations dedicated
to keeping the dream of a vital community alive.
The best testament to Milford’s vision stands at
one of downtown’s major intersections. When the
historic barbershop building at Main and Garfield
burned, local developers immediately purchased
the lot and built a state-of-the-art replica.
Planners and preservationists from other cities
have envied that kind of cooperation and private
commitment.
PEOPLE AND NATURE
A place makes room for both people and nature, which plays a big role in Milford’s
appeal and instills a sense of conservation. Sited along the Little Miami River adjacent
to the 76-mile Little Miami Scenic Trail, it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The city is
pivotally located at the intersection of America’s Long Distance Trails, spoking in eight
paths for 22,000 miles.
Milford’s Urban Trail winds walkers through the main, arterial streets and past an
eclectic mix of architecture, interesting shops, restaurants and along natural paths.
It’s a great way to explore the many facets of Milford. Accessible to all, the well-marked
system connects most of the city’s parks: Carriage Way, Clertoma, Garfield, Memorial,
SEM Villa, Terrell and the entrance to the Milford Bike Trail.
A host of annual events taps the surroundings, anchored in the core downtown:
Memorial Day Parade; first-weekend-in-June Frontier Days; September’s Junction Trail
Festival; October’s Buskerfest; various antique and collectibles’ exhibits and sales; and
Hometown Holidays. Milford annually schedules two permit-free, city-wide yard sales,
one in conjunction with the Great U.S. 50 Yard Sale.
INDEPENDENCE AND COOPERATION
Vision, ingenuity and perseverance have shaped Milford and those guiding principles are
evident in the harmonious blend of business, residential, natural and public areas.
With a solid downtown core, growing retail areas and a variety of shopping centers, the
city is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Major thoroughfares – Interstate 275, US Route 50,
State Routes 28 and 131 – traverse Milford, only a half hour from the Greater
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport and even closer to Lunken,
Clermont County and Blue Ash airports. Regular bus service, with a park and ride at
Milford Kroger’s, connects commuters.
Reasonably priced land in an established, stable area makes Milford attractive for
development and re-development with nearby acreage for outgrowth.
The Milford Commerce Park offers a unique blend of light industrial and retail, linked
via the Milford Parkway to the River’s Edge retail-and-entertainment district.
The city is served by a wide variety of financial and medical professionals, including a
24-hour emergency clinic in close proximity, and three hospitals within a 15-minute drive.
Local commitment to business is big. In addition to the encouragement of the city,
business is aided by the Milford-Miami Township Chamber of Commerce, Milford
Historical Association (of businesses), Clermont County Chamber of Commerce and its
small-business development center, and the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.
When it’s not all work and you desire play, Milford is just minutes away from the
Bengals, Reds, Cincinnati Art Museum, Taft Museum of Art, Aronoff Center for the
Arts, National Underground Freedom Center, the Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Museum
Center, Riverbend Music Center, Kings Island, the Beach Waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge,
Terrace Park Country Club and the Newport Aquarium.
GOVERNMENT
The cooperation of government, business, schools and civic organizations makes
Milford a lively, balanced city. Elected and employed officials are accessible and
welcome contact with residents and the business community.
The effective council-manager form of government supplies necessary services in a
professional, economical and user-friendly manner. Residents and businesses rely
on the consistent police, fire, and paramedic protection, water and wastewater treatment, and curbside collection of trash, recyclables, brush, leaves and Christmas trees.
The building and zoning departments with a full-time city planner – who guides
the citizen-staffed planning commission and board of zoning appeals – administer,
implement and safeguard the city’s comprehensive development plan.
The approachable, citizen-friendly police department is nationally accredited with a
focus on community-oriented policing and educational programs for residents and
school children.
The visible, local fire department furnishes levy-supported fire and emergency
medical services with an ISO Class 3 fire-insurance rating, lowering property
owner’s premiums. Santa annually climbs aboard a fire truck to deliver treats to
children as a department effort to connect with residents.
EDUCATION
Consistently rated excellent by the state, Milford Exempted Village School
District serves more than 6,500 students in nine neighborhood buildings. Over
half of the staff, many of whom are Milford graduates, hold advanced degrees.
While district wide math and English programs have earned local and state
recognition, enrichment and advanced-placement programs challenge students,
and special-education services nurture others. Three-fourths of all graduates
pursue higher education.
Other schooling options within the Milford area are: St. Andrew’s Middle School,
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (preschool and elementary), Milford Christian Academy
(first through 12th grade), St. Mark’s Lutheran School (preschool-sixth grade) and
Live Oaks Vocational School (high school).
Post-secondary learning opportunities are plentiful in Clermont County at the
University of Cincinnati Clermont County in Batavia and Wilmington College,
Eastgate Branch, with other, major universities and colleges an easy commute away.
WORSHIP
Milford claims prominence as the site of the first Methodist Church in the
Northwest Territory – founded in 1797 by the Rev. Francis McCormick. Still a
staple, Milford United Methodist is joined by most other protestant denominations
and the Catholic Church. Thirteen area churches form Milford Miami Ministries,
which provides funds, volunteers and supplies to area residents in need.
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
Any viable community recognizes its similarities and
differences and utilizes them in finding common ground,
cooperating, caring for those in need and respecting each
other.
HOUSING
As such, Milford is not a cookie-cutter suburb.
Housing ranges from well-preserved historic structures in
established eastern and southern neighborhoods to new,
upscale possibilities in Tree Ridge, Stone Ridge, Meadows
of Milford, Doublegate Carriage Homes
and condominiums in Miami Woods, a private,
wooded community.
Following in the local tradition of responding to needs
as well as preservation and re-use, the Southeastern
Ecumenical Ministry (SEM) organized a community
for seniors facing various stages of life on former Jesuit
seminary grounds (adjacent to the Jesuit Spiritual Center
in Milford). Dwellings at SEM Laurels, Terrace,
Villa, Manor and Haven in South Milford range from
individual and assisted living to rehabilitation/ physical
therapy, and full-time nursing.
ORGANIZATIONS
At the eastern edge of town, the elegant Victorian Promont House,
former home of Ohio Governor John Pattison, perches above the city.
It houses a fascinating museum filled with antiques, historic photos,
memorabilia, documents and art and is headquarters for the Milford
Area Historical Society. The best panoramic view of the city can be seen
atop Promont’s four-story tower that’s open with museum admission.
Other organizations that make Milford a better place include: the
American Legion, Masons, Jaycees, Milford Area Neighbor to Neighbor,
Kiwanis, Rotary, local garden clubs, Boy and Girl Scout troops.